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Swizz Beatz Still a Target in Megaupload Case

Swizz Beatz Still a Target in Megaupload Case

Prosecutors are trying to link the producer to the illegal file sharing site.

Published July 20, 2012

Swizz Beatz has found himself entangled in the international piracy case against Megaupload after attorneys for the United States government have attempted to use his link to the site to bring charges against it in the U.S. Previously, American authorities had little recourse against the site and its operators as it is headquartered in Hong Kong.

Swizz, née Kaseem Dean, was listed as the CEO of Megaupload when it was shut down and had previously been vocal about his involvement with the site. Shortly after it was shut down by the Department of Justice in January, however, his lawyer claimed that Dean had no actual role with the company and was attached in name only.

U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride is challenging that claim, and is now offering proof that Beatz was active with the company. He says that the super producer represented Megaupload before the United States Trade Representative in 2011, indicating that he was more than just a name on the website. Since Beatz is an American, MacBride and the DOJ will attempt to bring charges against the company here.

So far, Beatz has refused to cooperate with the government. If he is issued a subpoena, however, he won't have a choice.

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